THE GAME-CHANGER

When demolition and civil engineering specialists Max Wild GmbH, a family business headquartered in Berkheim in Germany, expanded into the equipment rental sector it added a PowerBully all-terrain tracked vehicle to its growing hire fleet and it has been in high demand ever since.

With low ground pressure and high performance off road characteristics, the 12 tonne PowerBully 12D has been proving its worth on construction sites where the terrain has been particularly challenging.

Awesome Earthmovers travelled to Heidenheim in Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany, located near the border with Bavaria, to see the PowerBully 12D tracked dumper being put through its paces by one of Max Wild’s rental customers on a muddy and swampy construction site where it easily coped with the conditions.

“The PowerBully is a game-changer for our customers,” says Luca Häußler, who is responsible for commercial project management and also for Max Wild’s rental division which offers a wide range of innovative equipment. “Their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the machine’s value in the fleet. It is especially useful in rural and forestry areas.”

Adds Luca, who also looks after the company’s workshops and used machinery fleet: “Many of our customers approach us with specific requirements, often from municipalities or large contractors. They need a vehicle that can handle difficult ground conditions. Conventional trucks and other construction vehicles quickly reach their limits in such environments. That’s where the PowerBully truly excels – it’s the perfect solution for these demanding jobs.”

Also available in nine tonne and 16 tonne weight categories, the PowerBully has a minimum ground pressure of just 0.15 kg/cm², enabling it to work on very soft or wet ground. Its gradeability, side slope angle and 0° turning circle also makes it a safe and manoeuvrable solution for use on steep slopes, in ditches or at job sites where there is little room to operate.

High Traction & Fuel Efficient

Powered by a high-performance 6-cylinder Cummins engine, the PowerBully is the only tracked utility vehicle equipped with a rear drive. Not only does this provide high traction and fuel efficiency, but it also results in a comfortable noise level in the cab, while large windows combined with a 360° camera system and premium LED lighting provides the operator with exceptional visibility.

The spacious PowerBully cab is designed for long workdays, with its suspended driver‘s seat, intuitive control of the vehicle and the ergonomic arrangement of the controls. Other features include joystick steering, air conditioning, heating, a radio with Bluetooth and a hands-free kit as well as USB connections for smartphone and other devices, and enough storage space for tools, backpacks, and personal items.

“CONVENTIONAL TRUCKS AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES QUICKLY REACH THEIR LIMITS IN SUCH CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENTS. THAT’S WHERE THE POWERBULLY TRULY EXCELS – IT’S THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR THESE DEMANDING JOBS.”

With a hydrostatic drive that enables precise manoeuvring, PowerBully machines stand out for their large running wheels. The steel running wheels each with a best-in-class diameter of 87 cm are mounted on pendulum axles and make it possible for the running gear to optimally adjust to the ground.

Another plus is that the large running wheels, compared to smaller wheels, are more wear-resistant and don’t require any top rollers. These features are reflected in an increased service life and in low maintenance costs.

Also unique in the industry is the suspended cab that PowerBully provides as standard. The hydraulic bearings act as shock absorbers and, in combination with the large running wheels, result in extremely smooth running. As a result, PowerBully operators can maintain a constantly higher speed even on rough ground.

Easy to Operate

It is precisely these combined characteristics that have impressed Max Wild and their rental customers. “The advantage of the PowerBully is its tracked chassis, which means the vehicle exerts very little ground pressure and can reach places where conventional vehicles cannot go,” says Luca Häußler. “In addition, the machine’s fuel consumption is low and our customers also appreciate how easy it is to operate using the joystick.”

The PowerBully belongs to the German based Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG range of products, and can be used in a wide range of sectors and in areas that cannot be reached by wheeled vehicles - for example, because infrastructure or access roads are missing or destroyed, making them ideal for work not just in the construction industry, but also in the electric utility sector, for fighting forest wildfires or for maintaining oil and gas pipelines.

Simon Holland, Head of Sales, states: “When we set out to develop these machines, we concentrated on three areas - performance, safety and comfort. After two years on the market, we have found that our customers really appreciate these aspects. PowerBully has become a popular choice on the job site“.

The PowerBully track carriers are also suitable for transporting personnel, materials and bulk material to job sites that are inaccessible to wheeled vehicles. They can master steep slopes effortlessly with a 60% climbing capacity and can be used year round, on almost any surface, and under difficult weather conditions.